AIBU to not want to see my colleagues’ pants in the office?

[ThePussy]

I get that it’s hot, and we either have no a/c and fans or crappy a/c in the office but last week some of my colleagues looked like they were dressed for a day at the beach.

One turned up on Friday wearing a short, see through linen tunic that didn’t even cover her bum. She was wearing sturdy grey pants underneath (and a vest), and was clearly self conscious as she kept pulling the tunic down. Her friend was wearing a crop top and shorts.

Another, last week, was wearing a play suit that was so short that her bum cheeks hung out from underneath.

One of the men was in a tee shirt and cut off shorts. The shorts were so low slung, that the top of his boxers were on display.

I don’t require much from my colleagues - clean, tidy and clothed will do. But it’s an office, not a fucking beach. And we do deal with senior visitors - MPs, Ministers, Mayors, Diplomats and members of the public, all of whom turn up appropriately clad.

Comfortable does not mean Slovenly. I despair every summer. British people seem to have no idea how to dress for the heat without looking rumpled, lewd or like they are on the beach.

No problem for me. When I'm at work I'm usually looking at my computer screen, and when talking with a colleague I'm looking at their face. In hot weather I'm usually in a T-shirt, baggy shorts, and sandals. I feel the heat so would not work anywhere with strict dress code or that didn't have good air-con. I wear a crisp white shirt and smart trousers when we have meetings with clients, and change into less formal attire when they leave.

So why not wear a crisp t-shirt every day? Are you meaning you wear a nice clean ironed t-shirt on public days and some ratty faded old band t-shirt on other days?
why?

If it's an office why does it matter what anyone wears?

It's not like it's public facing and people see you.

I've never understood why office workers get dressed up to tap away on a computer keyboard.

Is there such a thing as a mental health day in the UK? Is it paid?

It’s literally in OP’s first post.

And we do deal with senior visitors - MPs, Ministers, Mayors, Diplomats and members of the public, all of whom turn up appropriately clad.

You are been ridiculous and precious
It's bloody hot. Let people be comfortable
Unless they are working with dangerous tools/chemicals it's fine

I meant a classic white shirt with a collar to see clients. But usually I feel more comfortable and think I work more productively in baggy comfortable clothes. I don't wear band t-shirts, usually just plain black or white t-shirts.

So many posters on this site pride themselves on being judgmental busybodies.

OP, is it part of your role at work to create or enforce a dress code? If it is, go and do it - you don't need our input. If it isn't, wind your neck in and leave it to the people who are actually in charge.

If these employees are actually dressed inappropriately, it's up to their line manager to have a word with them - not you. If their line manager is OK with what they're wearing (which sounds perfectly reasonable in this weather) then you need to be OK with it too.

Yeah on days you aren’t seeing anyone, a clean, fresh black or white t-shirt can look great in the heat if worn with smartish tailored shorts or a simple skirt

They see MPs and officials.
even if they didn’t it’s reasonable that people put in at least a little effort for work. It doesn’t have to be formal but surely even you accept clothes should be clean, in a good state of repair and appropriately decent. Surely even you accepts not anything goes. A bikini to work? Cut off denim shorts that show butt cheeks and the top of thongs work with a mesh top with no bra?

no one would think these would be acceptable.

I don’t think a sheer linen tunic short enough to show your crotch is ok either.

I really hope it doesn't 😳

OP hasn't suggested they can't be comfortable though?
Does a crop top really keep you 10 degrees cooler than a top a few cm longer?
Same with shorts or a dress - will the two inches between one that falls mid thigh and above knee make all the difference between people fainting from heat stroke or not?
Are shorts loose enough that they slip down your bum and show boxers any more comfortable than ones that fit you properly?
See through tops magically cooler than ones you can't see through?

If anything most people feel more comfortable in properly fitting clothes. Skirts/shorts that mean sweaty flesh isn't in direct contact with seats etc are again usually more comfortable (and hygienic) than bare skin. OP literally describes the woman in the tiny tunic as self conscious and awkward because she kept trying to tug it down all day. How is that comfortable?

Nobody is suggesting you need to wear a full suit and blazer on hot days, just that you should wear something that means your colleagues don't see your underwear. I really struggle to understand how anyone can disagree with that.

It's not like it's public facing and people see you.

Are your colleagues not 'people'?

And pp are right - long loose dresses or tunics and trousers are much better in hot weather than skimpy shorts and tops.

Call me a silly old fool if you want but I don't want to see anyones arse biscuits at work.

i do think that we should be flexible with clothing especially in the heat but underwear should not be easily seen - clue is in the name really

Really simple dress code is "you shouldn't be able to through it, up it or down it".
This is what we told new staff and placement students ( of all ages and both sexes) and there was good reason due to who we worked with.it wasn't about policing how people dress or being formally attired.

See!

yes. or wide leg culottes.